Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

BROWSE ISSUES allows you to browse through every available issue.

Registration to Air Force News is free.Once registered you will be notified by email when new issue is published.

4 OUR ATHLETES www.defence.gov.au/news/RAAFNEWS/ September 21, 2017 PTE Christopher Rapson, 34. Army operator movements. Sport: athletics. “I have PTSD and anxiety from operations in Afghanistan. Sport has increased my fitness and given me confidence. It also got me out of the house. My greatest achievements were reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in 2015 and being a part of the team raising about $70,000 for Operation K9. I applied for the Invictus Games because I wanted to meet personnel who have undergone similar experiences as I thought it would help me improve my resilience. The benefits of being involved with Invictus Games are bigger than just playing sport.” LACW Melissa Roberts, 29. Air Force firefighter. Sports: swimming, athletics. “I suffer from a traumatic brain injury and vision impairment with facial disfigurement as a result of a car accident. Sport has been a big part of my life since I was young. After my injury I used sport to improve social connections, regain self-confidence and personal development. The opportunity to represent my country with the Invictus Games team will be one of the highlights of my life. I applied because I reached a point in my recovery and rehabilitation where I could be competitive and had the confidence to apply.” LAC Wade Roberts, 32. Air Force aircraft technician. Sports: athletics, cycling. “I was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer three years ago. After rounds of treatment and surgeries I’ve been able to return to work with my unit. I competed in the 2016 Invictus Games and it helped me return to normal life. I applied again because I want to compete alongside other military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill and hear their stories about recovery, treatment and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.” Darren Robinson, 40. Former Army rifleman. Sports: archery, athletics. “I suffer from PTSD. Sport gives me motivation and helps me with my rehabilitation. The Invictus Games gave me something to look forward to. I’m proud to have been able to serve my country in the Australian Army as a paratrooper. To meet and compete against other inspirational athletes from around the world is a privilege. I also want to remember those who didn’t make it home and honour their sacrifice.” Garry Robinson, 43. Former Army Special Forces. Sports: cycling, swimming. “I was in the 2010 Black Hawk crash in Afghanistan and suffered severe traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures, including my lower leg, that wouldn’t mend. Just over a year later it was amputated. Each day I struggle to get out of bed, but the Invictus Games gives me something to focus on. I applied to compete alongside other wounded, injured and ill serving and former military personnel. It gives me the moral courage and inspiration to continue my recovery.” SGT Peter Rudland, 45. Team co-captain. Army Special Forces. Sports: cycling, wheelchair rugby. “I was in the 2010 Black Hawk crash in Afghanistan and suffered severe injuries to my legs, pelvis, arms, back, shoulders, face and a traumatic brain injury. Sport gives me something to work towards and reminds me that no matter how bad things get, there is always somebody worse off. Initially I applied to give me something to work towards as part of my recovery. I re-applied this year after meeting so many others last year in similar circumstances.” Stewart Sherman, 34. Former Army medical technician. Sports: wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis. “I have PTSD from my deployment to Afghanistan. I competed in the 2016 Invictus Games and it gave me a new focus on life and helped me build a healthy lifestyle. My relationships with my family and my willingness to participate in daily activities has improved and continues to improve every day. I applied for the Invictus Games because I want to put myself in a position where I’m required to step up and earn my place.” Sarah Sliwka, 33. Former Army signaller. Sports: powerlifting, swimming. “I have a lower back injury and snapped the ligaments in my ankle from pack marching. Sport has been the driving force behind my rehabilitation, both physically and mentally. It’s been even more important since discharging, helping me build confidence and giving me a sense of achievement I lost after discharge. I’m proud to be chosen to represent Australia as part of the 2017 Australian Invictus Games team. I want to be around other serving and former soldiers again and enjoy the team environment I’ve missed.” Tony Sten, 39. Former Army rifleman. Sports: athletics, indoor rowing, powerlifting. “Sport has given me a goal to work towards and keeps me fit and healthy. I kayaked across Bass Strait with very limited training. We got stuck on Flinders Island for a couple weeks due to bad weather but were still able to complete the crossing. I wanted to be involved in a team and represent my country again. I also wanted to compete alongside other serving and former serving military personnel.” Jamie Tanner, 34. Former Army rifleman. Sports: wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby. “I suffer from numerous musculoskeletal injuries and PTSD from my deployments. The Invictus Games training helped my fitness increase, which has also improved my PTSD-related issues. It has given me a goal to work towards and a purpose. It’s a huge honour to represent my country at an international sporting event. My goal is to push as hard as I can and give everything. This is more important than winning or losing.” Richard Wassell, 51. Former Navy electronic warfare submariner. Sports: Athletics, indoor rowing. “I suffered a stroke on board HMAS Ovens. Sport helped me set future goals and motivated me to achieve them. I applied for the Invictus Games as I wanted to get back into the military family as I have been out of it for so long. I miss it every day and thought the Invictus Games could be an opportunity to reconnect. I also wanted to show younger veterans that no matter what injuries or illnesses you have you can always come out the other side.” Sarah Watson, 38. Former Army intelligence officer. Sports: cycling, swimming, indoor rowing, athletics. “I suffer from PTSD and major depressive disorder after my deployment to Iraq. Sport and fitness has been crucial in my recovery. I have used sport to manage my condition and help maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. Sport is integral to managing my illness. Invictus Games and belonging to the Invictus family gives me a huge sense of pride and determination. Representing my country in the sporting arena will be a dream come true.” LCPL Gary Wilson, 36. Army operator electronic warfare linguist. Sports: athletics, indoor rowing. “I was in the 2010 Black Hawk crash in Afghanistan and suffered multiple fractures, thirddegree burns and severe traumatic brain injuries. Focusing on sport and the Invictus Games has been fantastic as it gives me something to aim for in training and an incentive to go to the gym. I want the opportunity to show, after being broken in service, we shouldn’t see our wounds, injuries or illness as a road block, we should see them as detours.” Jeff Wright, 49. Former Army driver. Sports: wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, swimming. “I suffer vision loss, paraplegia, PTSD and knee damage from a training accident and a motorcycle accident. It’s been the catalyst to revisit the camaraderie and competitive nature of sport, allowing for aggression, skill, teamwork and enjoyment to occur, all along not ever thinking I’m a person with a disability. I was already playing wheelchair basketball as part of my rehabilitation, so it was a natural progression to apply for the Invictus Games.” Donna Young, 51. Former Army clerk/dental nurse. Sports: archery, indoor rowing. “I have depression and PTSD. Sport played a vital role in my rehabilitation. It’s one reason I get up every day and it provides me with focus and inspiration. I want to meet other personnel from all over the world who are on the same journey as me. I want to make my family, who have continually supported me, as proud of me as they have ever been. I want my sons with me in the moment, cheering and supporting, as one military family.”